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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 8Pt. 2Ch. 1Art. 2§ 5831 Petition Signer Verification

§ 5831 Petition Signer Verification

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5831 Petition Signer Verification

This law says that a certificate from the county assessor proves a petition signer owns land in the proposed district, and a certificate from the county elections official proves the signer is a registered voter living in the district.

Key Takeaways

  • •A certificate from the assessor is enough proof that a signer owns land in the proposed district.
  • •A certificate from the elections official is enough proof that a signer is a registered voter living in the proposed district.
  • •These certificates are treated as "prima facie" evidence, meaning the court accepts them as true unless someone shows otherwise.

Example

A group of neighbors wants to start a new school district and they collect signatures on a petition. Each signer must show they either own land in the area or are a registered voter who lives there.

If a signer shows a certificate from the assessor saying their name is on the county's land list, the court will treat that as proof they own land in the district. If they show a certificate from the elections office saying they are a registered voter who lives in the district, the court will treat that as proof they are a voter in the district.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5831 Petition Signer Verification

A certificate issued by the assessor of the county and filed in the proceedings, which states that the name of any signer of the petition appears upon the last equalized assessment-roll of the county for land assessed to him or her and located within the boundaries of the proposed district, is prima facie evidence that the signer is a freeholder within the proposed district. A certificate signed by the county elections official, which states that the name of any signer of the petition is registered and uncanceled as a voter of the county and that he or she resides within the boundaries of the proposed district, is prima facie evidence that the signer is a registered voter within the proposed district. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 221, Sec. 47. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

freeholderregistered voterprima facie evidenceproposed district

Related Statutes

  • § 6020 Petition Hearing And Verification
  • § 5824 Petition Signer Requirements
  • § 6013 Petition Signer Requirements
  • § 5832 Harbor District Boundary Adjustment
  • § 5833 Harbor District Boundary Adjustment

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 5831.
View Official Source